Local Guide ~ An Original Japan Travel Guide by Hoshino Resorts' Local Staff

Local Guide

Hiroko Ono

Sake connoisseur

If you ask her to talk about Aizu's local sake, she is a tough person to get along with. She is such a sake connoisseur that she could probably talk about it all day long. Staff/staff members call him "Sensei," and he gives sake lectures. His love of sake has grown so great that he has finally taken part in sake brewing. How far will his insatiable inquisitiveness take him?

Bandaisan Onsen Hotel by Hoshino Resorts: A stylish highland resort hotel overlooking Lake Inawashiro below at the foot of Mount Bandai in Aizu. With a heated swimming pool, spa, and hot springs, you can enjoy a stay that brings you in touch with the unknown culture of Aizu. You can stay active from the season of fresh green to the season of blazing autumn leaves and deep snow.

Property website

Local Guide FAQ

What do you recommend in the Aizu/Inawashiro/Bandai area (places, experiences, food)?: After all, the Gold Line, Lake Line, and Skyline are the royal road. Regardless of the season or time of day, you can simply chat and enjoy the drive. We recommend taking a break at some point to enjoy the scenery and stop at a café along the way. You can also visit the roadside stations or take a cruise on a sightseeing boat.

Please sneak in some hole-in-the-wall places that you know because you live there.: Nakata Beach on Lake Inawashiro is a good place for lake bathing, but it is also recommended at different times of the year. You can spread out a sheet on the Nakada beach, which is reserved for no one, and have a BBQ, or set up a tent and read a book in a relaxed atmosphere. If the weather is good, you can see Mt. Bandai beautifully, so you can refresh yourself with an extraordinary feeling.

Where did you travel to last year and with whom?: I went to Ishigaki Island with my daughter, and even though it was June, a typhoon was approaching. I will never forget swimming with the coral and clownfish on the ocean floor. (It was also the moment I realized that scuba diving itself is a life-threatening experience.)

What do you do on your days off?: I like to read a book while enjoying coffee and sweets at a café. Recently, I enjoy strolling around Kitakata because of its fashionable stores. Kitakata, the town of warehouses, is very hot right now.

Is there anything you always take with you on a trip?: I carry an umbrella when I go out regardless of the trip. Since I was a child, I have often been on my own, so I started carrying an umbrella to protect myself from crime. It is convenient because I can use it as a parasol not only on rainy days but also on sunny days. Also, since I tend to get cold, a stole or cardigan is a must-have.